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RCVS to host session on carbon neutral surgery
Experts will consider how the NHS has achieved more carbon neutral methods to its healthcare.
The interactive panel will be presented at London Vet Show.

The RCVS Fellowship is to host a session at London Vet Show, exploring whether carbon neutral veterinary surgery is achievable.

The session is titled ‘Is carbon neutral surgery possible? What can we learn from the NHS?’, and sees the group partner with leading sustainable healthcare advocates for an interactive panel. It will take place on 16 November from 11.20am- 12.20pm.

The panel of experts will discuss the ways that the carbon footprint of veterinary surgery can be reduced.

They will also consider how the NHS has achieved more carbon neutral methods to its healthcare, without compromising patient care and safety.

The panel includes Mahmood Bhutta, a consultant ENT surgeon and professor of sustainable healthcare at the Brighton and Sussex Medical School, as well as RCVS president Dr Sue Paterson FRCVS and Vet Sustain director Dr Zoe Halfacree FRCVS.

Dr Paterson represents the RCVS at the UK Health Alliance on Climate Change (UKHACC), where she has previously worked with Prof Bhutta in his capacity as chair of UKHACC’s Green Surgery Project Team.

Dr Paterson said: “On UKHACC I have been made aware of some of the pioneering ideas and actions to ensure that our healthcare systems, while playing such a vital societal role, are also not having a deleterious effect on our environment.

“I’ve no doubt that many of the sustainable innovations and interventions in human healthcare can be applied in the veterinary sector, and I look forward to discussing this with Mahmood, Zoe and Ellie next month.”

RCVS’ stand at London Vet Show will also include a ‘learning zone’ across both days, hosting guest speakers who will give educational presentations on regulatory issues.

One of these guest speakers will be RCVS junior vice-president Dr Linda Belton, who will talk about the regulatory body’s much discussed new under care guidance in a presentation titled ‘Under care and remote prescribing: your questions answered’.

Other topics that will be explored in the learning zone will be the RCVS Academy, its 1CPD platform and the group’s VN futures project.

London Vet Show is taking place from 16- 17 November at ExCeL London. Tickets can be purchased here.

Image © Shutterstock

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Applications open for MMI research grants

News Story 1
 RCVS' Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) has launched round two of its veterinary mental health research grants.

Researchers have until 11.59pm on Wednesday, 28 May 2025 to apply for a grant for research which reflects MMI's 2025 focus areas.

Only one Impact Grant was awarded last year, and so this year there are two Discovery Grants and one Impact Grants available. Each Discovery Grant is worth £5,000 and the Impact Grant is worth £15,000.

For more information or to apply, email researchgrants@rcvs.org.uk to contact the MMI team.

 

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News Shorts
BBC Radio 4 documentary addresses corporate fees

BBC Radio 4's File on 4 Investigates has released a documentary exploring how corporate-owned veterinary practices may be inflating bills to increase profit.

Released on 15 April, 'What's Happening To Your Vet Bills?' revealed the policies which many corporate groups have in place to increase their profits. This included targets and upgrades which veterinary teams are tasked with meeting on a regular basis.

It also features Anrich Vets, an independently-owned practice based in Wigan. Following the case of Staffordshire terrier Benjy, who is diagnosed with a tumour, the documentary shares how the team were able to offer contextualised care and advice to make the procedure as affordable as possible for his owners.

The documentary can be heard on demand on BBC iPlayer.